Lurker's V-twin build

[Allen_Wrench]

Har, when I got a mig and was teaching my self to weld, first thing I made that actually did some thing was a tail-pipe made from galvanized conduit. Luckily had the garage door and back door open and the fumes blew away from me really well. I did not know how sick the fumes could make you before that. Didn't get sick at all. Then welded copper to it which of course can't be done. But not knowing that, went ahead and did it. So then beat the weld with a hammer to prove it held. Took me two whacks to realize it was doing the copper no good, lol.

See. In fact, copper CAN be welded...for decorative purposes. I wouldn't expect it to bear any weight or to possess any structural integrity that would defy a strong wind. But you've proven that it could be done! (Wouldn't do it on a bike tho'.)

 

[Lurker]

All this talk about welding got me excited to make a kickstand. It's not 100% done, I still need to ad the final brace to it, but you get the Idea. I also got some heavy duty 1/4 inch thick chain tensions from the local bike shop.
In these photos you can also see how much I suck at welding! oh well practice make perfect. Also today I get to pick up the sheet metal for the gas tank. I'm finally stating to feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel here.

 

[Dirt Road Cowboy]

Har, when I got a mig and was teaching my self to weld, first thing I made that actually did some thing was a tail-pipe made from galvanized conduit. Luckily had the garage door and back door open and the fumes blew away from me really well. I did not know how sick the fumes could make you before that. Didn't get sick at all. Then welded copper to it which of course can't be done. But not knowing that, went ahead and did it. So then beat the weld with a hammer to prove it held. Took me two whacks to realize it was doing the copper no good, lol.

That's great Dan! I like doing things before someone tells me that it can't be done too!

When I was a kid, and first learning to weld (before MIG and TIG were around), I used to weld with anything I could find to use as a welding rod. I'd take the arc welder and use brazing rods, copper wire, aluminum rods or anything else that was conductive that I could find.

I even used it as a cutter when I was putting a V8 into my 1960 Chevy truck. I had to cut out the old engine mounts that were riveted to the frame. I was in a hurry to get it done, and didn't have a torch to cut them, so I cranked the old Lincoln up to 230 amps and melted them off!

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! LOL

Oh yeah, the build is looking good Lurker! I like the kickstand.

 

[Dan]

All this talk about welding got me excited to make a kickstand. It's not 100% done, I still need to ad the final brace to it, but you get the Idea. I also got some heavy duty 1/4 inch thick chain tensions from the local bike shop.
In these photos you can also see how much I suck at welding! oh well practice make perfect. Also today I get to pick up the sheet metal for the gas tank. I'm finally stating to feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel here.

That is an awesome kick stand Lurker! The way you have it set up, can work on almost the whole bike. Very, very cool. When I was a kid the local Chinese resturant delivery guys had what looked like Worksman bicycles with front kick-stands. (all the food was placed in the huge front basket) I have been trying to find a producer of those for a while and as yet have not. I was thinking some thing like your's but given my skills, thought some how, some way, the kick stand would some how drop and pole-volt me. LOL

That's great Dan! I like doing things before someone tells me that it can't be done too!

When I was a kid, and first learning to weld (before MIG and TIG were around), I used to weld with anything I could find to use as a welding rod. I'd take the arc welder and use brazing rods, copper wire, aluminum rods or anything else that was conductive that I could find.

I even used it as a cutter when I was putting a V8 into my 1960 Chevy truck. I had to cut out the old engine mounts that were riveted to the frame. I was in a hurry to get it done, and didn't have a torch to cut them, so I cranked the old Lincoln up to 230 amps and melted them off!

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! LOL

Oh yeah, the build is looking good Lurker! I like the kickstand.

To Cool Cowboy! Man I am looking forward to seeing more of your work. That is some incredible shade tree engineering!

 

[charliechaindrive.]

I even used it as a cutter when I was putting a V8 into my 1960 Chevy truck. I had to cut out the old engine mounts that were riveted to the frame. I was in a hurry to get it done, and didn't have a torch to cut them, so I cranked the old Lincoln up to 230 amps and melted them off!

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! LOL

Oh yeah, the build is looking good Lurker! I like the kickstand.

That's funny! And sounds like somthing I will do.

 

[Lurker]

Major progress this week. The tank is done, and I have started on the exhaust. I also borrowed the fancy digital slr camera from work so I actually have some decent photos this time too.

 

[cobrafreak]

It's really shaping up Lurker. Tell me about the gas cap. Is it an original design or existing? Are you positive you want to run this beast without a front brake? As is, you will need to think way ahead. Just don't want to see you "go" prematurely.

 

[harry76]

I'm loving the build, but I must confess I'm not a fan of the engine plates as they currently are......... Maybe once you've added everything they won't stand out so much, but at present they look a little "fat" and "squarish"........ It's only a small criticism on an otherwise awesome build....... Keep it up

 

[Lurker]

Thanks guys, the filler cap came from Lowbrowcustoms.com they have all sorts of cool vintage motorcycle stuff. I think I will eventually get a front brake but I want to keep this front wheel for when I take it to motorcycle/car shows for that really authentic look.

Harry, the keystone plate are not my favorite part of the bike either. They are a exact 1:1 copy of a 1923 hd, that I modified to fit my frame. The look a little boxy because they will also have to hide the battery and oil cooler. I think eventually I will redesign them but for right now the will do.

Here is another photo so you can see how it will look with a rider.

 

[aeronca]

Thanks guys, the filler cap came from Lowbrowcustoms.com they have all sorts of cool vintage motorcycle stuff. I think I will eventually get a front brake but I want to keep this front wheel for when I take it to motorcycle/car shows for that really authentic look.

Harry, the keystone plate are not my favorite part of the bike either. They are a exact 1:1 copy of a 1923 hd, that I modified to fit my frame. The look a little boxy because they will also have to hide the battery and oil cooler. I think eventually I will redesign them but for right now the will do.

Here is another photo so you can see how it will look with a rider.

that bike is badasssssss!!!!

 

[sportscarpat]

Looks great, Lurker. I can see you spent the time getting the proportions correct. It's a heavy engine so brakes will be important. I can feel quite a bit of difference between my Morini and clone builds in the stopping distance. Same brakes on both bikes but just the added weight increase between the two different engines has added to my stopping distance by a few feet.

 

[Velodrome]

MAN !! Those are gonna be some FAT crank peddles!

 

[Red Light Bandit]

Great build! Im very interested in your forks. Can you please post a link or let us know who the mfg is. Thanks.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks Pat, I spent a lot of time designing this bike and making sure everything was to "scale" I use that term loosely. I found some really great photos of bikes I liked and blew them up to full scale in photoshop then I took measurements. After that I printed out key components like head tubes, seat tubes, and dropouts. Then I used that information to make a 1:1 drawing of my bike. Doing this allowed me to get the same head tube and seat tube angles of the bikes I used for inspiration. I have quite a lot of time invested in the design process, and I really admire the work you do, so for it to get your stamp of approval means a lot to me.

RedLightBandit,
The forks came from this link at the bottom of the page.
They were extremely long so I had to do some cutting and welding to get them to fit more like a btr fork. Other than that they are a very nice high quality fork and I would recommend them.
Front Ends : Forks - Cycles U.S. LLC/Choppers U.S.

 

[axelkloehn]

your bike looks great! Love the fat tank, the forks and the overall proportions. Do the lower engine mounts have to be that heavy?
I think they don't need to be such an eyecatcher, but thats just my 2 cents-
Anyway...great work!
Do you know I have a Vanguard lying around here? After my fake V2 is finished I will go for another build and guess I steal some of your ideas...
;-)

 

[harry76]

I'm just wondering if you had considered drilling lightening holes in your engine plates, that way they may not seem so bulky and adding that race look........ Even adding machining marks/swirls may also be an improvement...... But I have little doubt you will get them looking "just right"

 

[sportscarpat]

It's a Keystone frame, guys. That's the way they look with the big plates.

 

[sportscarpat]

Keystone frame link. Top Ends - 8 valve racer

 

[Velodrome]

Odd how the engineering solutions of 100 years ago are sometimes the same as today. What works; works....

 

[harry76]

It's a Keystone frame, guys. That's the way they look with the big plates.

I do realise that, but Lurker actually said he wasnt happy with them at present and i agree they could be improved a little like he said, thats all.

The ones in the photo dont look much like Lurkers, they are a lot more rounded, i realise the V-twins base is wider so his plates need to be bigger so maybe there isnt much that can be done, but thats why i was thinking maybe lightening holes would make them appear smaller perhaps..... i was just thinking....... either way awesome build and i cant wait to see this go down the road.......